CH 31 : Kieran

As the Queen's birthday approached, the days became a blur of tasks and late nights for Emilia. The corridors of the Queen's palace were lively and bustling, each servant and attendant moving with purpose, preparing for the grand celebration. Yet amidst all this activity, Emilia felt an undeniable emptiness. Since that evening in the garden, she hadn't seen Alistair.

When Alistair had first disappeared from the manor, Emilia assumed he'd be back soon. But days turned into weeks, and every time he returned briefly, she was occupied with her duties at the Queen's palace. Their lives had become two parallel paths that never crossed, with each of them caught up in separate obligations and pulled in different directions.

One late evening, as the palace finally quieted and the last of the servants had retired, Emilia sat alone in the Queen's private study, sifting through a list of final details. Her eyes burned from exhaustion, but she remained focused. This was no ordinary celebration.

It was a chance to secure her place, to prove her loyalty and perhaps, an opportunity to uncover information on the mysterious healer Prince Dorian had mentioned. Her mind drifted back to his words, the image of a man with needles curing his mother in unconventional ways.

But, with each attempt to learn more, she encountered closed doors and whispered denials. The mysterious man had seemingly vanished, leaving no trace of his identity or whereabouts. She sighed, frustration mingling with fatigue. It was clear that finding him wouldn't be as straightforward as she'd hoped.

A gentle knock sounded on the door, startling her. She looked up to see Prince Dorian, his face softened by the candlelight in the dim room.

"You're still here, Emilia?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "It's past midnight. You've done enough for today."

Emilia managed a tired smile. "There's just a bit more to finalize. I want everything perfect for the Queen's celebration."

He stepped closer, studying her with a mixture of admiration and sympathy. "You've done more than enough. Everyone has noticed your dedication." 

He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "But at what cost, Emilia? I can see it's wearing you down."

She looked away, fingers tracing the edge of the papers on the desk. "There's no other choice. This is my duty, my role."

Her voice softened as she continued, "And… there's something else. I had hoped to learn more about the man you mentioned, the healer. But it seems he's disappeared."

Prince Dorian's expression turned serious. "I understand. But after the Queen's birthday, you'll have more freedom to pursue that. For now, maybe you need to take care of yourself, too."

Emilia nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for his understanding. "After the celebration," she echoed softly, almost as if reassuring herself. "Then, perhaps, I can find some answers."

As the evening deepened, Emilia and Dorian found themselves alone in the quiet ambience of the Queen's palace. Dorian turned to her, his face warm with a smile as he spoke her name gently, "Emilia, everything is going to be alright. You've put so much effort into this, and it's going to pay off. The Queen's birthday will be a success and as for the man you're searching for, we'll find him."

Emilia glanced up, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. His words had a way of breaking through her anxiety, leaving her feeling reassured. "Thank you, Dorian. I know you're right," she replied softly, feeling a newfound sense of ease when calling him by name. "It just feels like… there's so much resting on this."

Dorian gently took the papers she clutched in her hand and set them back on the desk, shaking his head. "Enough work for tonight. You need rest as much as anyone else. You've got to be in perfect form for the big day, don't you?"

Emilia laughed, the sound light and unguarded. "Alright, you're right. I suppose a little rest won't hurt."

He gestured with a slight nod towards the door, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Come on, let me walk you back to your manor. Can't have you wandering the grounds alone in the dead of night, now can we?"

She shook her head but smiled as they walked side by side through the palace's shadowed hallways. The only sounds were their footsteps and the occasional whisper of the night breeze through the open windows. It had become a comforting routine over the past few days, this quiet, unhurried time they spent together as he escorted her back.

As they stepped into the open night, the stars twinkled above them, and a soft glow from the palace lanterns illuminated their path. Dorian spoke softly, his voice blending with the calm of the night. "You know, Emilia, the more time I spend with you, the more I see why so many respect you. Your dedication, your strength, it's remarkable."

Emilia blushed slightly, surprised by the earnestness in his tone. "Thank you, Dorian. I never imagined that this role would demand so much. But having someone who understands… well, that makes a difference."

They continued walking, and Dorian turned to her with a playful grin. "You know, for someone as formidable as you are, it's refreshing to see you unwind a little. I didn't think you were capable of slowing down."

She laughed again, the sound warmer now. "Trust me, I've learned I'm better at pushing through than slowing down."

"Well, tonight, I'm here to make sure you take at least one break," he replied, a smile lighting up his face.

Before she knew it, they were at the entrance to her manor. Dorian paused, looking at her with a gentle expression. "Get some rest, Emilia. The Queen's birthday is close, and you'll need all your energy for that."

She nodded, her gaze lingering on him. "Thank you, Dorian."

He glanced at her briefly, giving it a reassuring look. "Always. If you need anything, I'm just a call away." With a final nod, he turned and began to walk back to his own quarters, leaving Emilia with a warm sense of gratitude.

As Dorian turned to leave, Emilia hesitated, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Dorian, what's your schedule like tomorrow?"

He paused, arching an eyebrow as he turned back to face her. "Tomorrow? I've got a few matters to handle in the morning, but I should be free by noon. Why do you ask?"

She glanced down briefly, as if gathering her thoughts, before meeting his gaze with a hint of a smile. "I'm expecting a guest tomorrow… Duke Rhys's son. He's interested in seeing the palace's stables."

A flicker of surprise passed across Dorian's face before he nodded, amusement lighting his eyes. "So, we're entertaining visitors, are we? And let me guess, you're looking for someone who can handle endless questions about horses?"

Emilia chuckled. "You've read my mind. I know a little about horses, but I think he'd be expecting more… expertise."

Dorian's grin widened. "Ah, so you need an expert, do you?" He folded his arms in a mock serious pose. "Well, it just so happens that I know a fair bit about horses."

Emilia's face lit up, "You're serious?"

Dorian shrugged, his expression softening. "I grew up around them. My mother made sure of that. Horses teach you a lot about loyalty, strength… patience."

"Then, if you're free, would you mind joining us?" She looked at him hopefully. "I could really use your help navigating this visit."

Dorian laughed softly, nodding. "Consider it done. I'll make sure Duke Rhys's son has all the insights he can handle. Besides, it'll be nice to spend the day with you outside of all this planning chaos."

Emilia smiled warmly, feeling a sense of relief and excitement at the prospect. "Thank you, Dorian. You're a lifesaver."

"Anything for you, Emilia," he replied softly, a glint of sincerity in his eyes. He lingered for a moment, then gave a final nod. "Rest well. We've got a lot to look forward to tomorrow."

As he finally turned and left, Emilia watched him disappear into the night, feeling both reassured and curious about what the next day would bring.

Over time, Emilia found herself becoming more and more reliant on Dorian, far more than she ever had on Alistair. It was inevitable because Dorian was the one person who was constantly by her side. No matter in any situation, he is always dependable and willing to assist her whenever she needs help.

Though Emilia understood that his dedication stemmed from his duty to aid her with the preparations for the Queen's birthday celebration, she secretly wished their bond could continue just as it was. With other mysteries still left to unravel, she knew how much she needed him to stay close.

Then, all she could do was hope that nothing would disrupt the fragile balance between them in the meantime.

***

"This one here belongs to the King, his name is Valor. A spirited horse with a loyal heart. He's been with the King for nearly a decade."

Prince Dorian led young Kieran through the stables, his voice calm yet animated as he described the various horses. They stopped in front of a majestic stallion with a gleaming, chestnut coat, and Dorian gestured to the horse with a smile.

Kieran's eyes sparkled with interest. "Wow, ten years? He must be really strong to still look like that!"

The boy reached up tentatively, and Dorian, ever attentive, guided his hand. "Hold your hand flat," he advised, "and let him approach you."

Emilia watched as Dorian's gentle guidance drew the stallion to Kieran, who looked overjoyed as the horse sniffed his hand before nudging him affectionately. She couldn't help but feel a surge of appreciation for Dorian's patience and the depth of his knowledge.

"Now, Luna here." Dorian continued, introducing Kieran to the Queen's horse, a sleek, graceful mare.

"Luna is as elegant as her rider. The Queen always says she feels at peace riding Luna, that the two of them share an understanding." His voice softened with warmth.

Kieran looked up, wide-eyed. "Do you think I'll ever get a horse like that, Prince Dorian?"

Dorian chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair. "If you keep learning, I don't see why not," he encouraged. "A good rider knows how to connect with their horse. It's not just about commands, it's about respect and trust."

He glanced over at Emilia, who had been quietly watching. "Isn't that right, Crown Princess Emilia?"

She nodded, taken aback by his insight. "Absolutely," her gaze steady on Dorian. "You seem to know quite a bit about everything, Prince Dorian. I didn't realize you were so…multi-talented."

Dorian gave a modest smile, glancing back at Kieran. "Well, I suppose there's always more to us than meets the eye," he replied, a glimmer of humor in his tone. "The palace may keep me busy, but I find that learning a little about everything keeps life…engaging."

Kieran, bouncing with excitement. "Crown Princess Emilia, when I grow up, I want to be just like Prince Dorian!"

Emilia exchanged a warm glance with Dorian, feeling a surge of respect for the man beside her. "You're well on your way, Kieran," she encouraged. "And with such a good teacher, I'm sure you'll be exceptional."

They shared a warm laugh, the atmosphere light and companionable as they continued through the stables, admiring each horse and exchanging stories, feeling a camaraderie strengthened by the shared experience. For a brief moment, Emilia felt a sense of peace, enjoying the present and the simple joy of shared company.

***